THERE is no better example of the racing wheel’s relentless turning that within the space of a week we go from crowning Cheltenham champions to searching for the next star of the flat scene.

Rejoice, flat fans. After a winter of National Hunt warriors taking centre stage, this weekend the speedometer ratchets up a notch with the return of the Irish flat season thanks to two cracking cards at the Curragh today and Naas on Sunday.

There is still much to look forward to over jumps with Fairyhouse, Aintree and Punchestown on the horizon, but a galaxy of stars await us on the level in the coming months. Kyprios, Little Big Bear, Luxembourg, Auguste Rodin, Tahiyra and Al Riffa are among the top names returning this season.

Today’s Group 3 Lodge Park Stud Irish EBF Park Express Stakes (3.57) features some classy fillies, but all eyes will be on the €100,000 Paddy Power Irish Lincolnshire (3.25), a cracking heat to kick off the new campaign.

Lincoln lights up new season

Premier handicap supremo Ado McGuinness could saddle 10 of the possible 27 runners, but two of the liveliest contenders are trained in Britain.

Totally Charming, an 18,500gns bargain buy for George Boughey, will bid to make it five wins in nine starts since joining the upwardly-mobile Newmarket yard. Colin Keane has been snapped up to ride the ante-post favourite, but the five-year-old’s trainer is seriously concerned by a wide draw in stall 22.

Speaking from Meydan, where he sends out huge player Al Dasim in the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint on Saturday (1.15), Boughey told The Irish Field: “The draw is a long way from ideal. I think he’ll need all the luck he can get. He loves a cut in the ground but life isn’t any easier with the Irish handicapper putting him up 3lb either. He goes there in very good form but a blind man could tell you that a hold-up horse being drawn 22 in a big-field handicap at the Curragh means we’re facing a pretty tall order.”

Haggas also taking aim

Since July 2018, William Haggas has saddled 18 runners in Ireland and emerged with an impressive eight listed or group winners. That means his unexposed four-year-old Lattam must be automatically respected, even with another wide draw in stall 24.

“He’s very well,” said the trainer responsible for masterfully managing Baaeed’s career. “I think he’ll enjoy the ground and the straight mile will suit him so we are looking forward to this. I felt the ground could be important to him and I couldn’t guarantee we’d get his ground for our own Lincoln at Doncaster so we pointed him here.”

An intriguing clash between Ireland and Britain is the perfect starter to kick off the new season. Here’s hoping it whets the appetite for another blockbuster campaign.